“Why do you look so troubled, my lady? Is something weighing on your mind?” The seventh month’s heat had faded, and the ninth month brought the need for warmer clothes. The autumn garments issued by the estate were always too loose and had to be altered by hand. Qing’er, who feared the cold, sat by the brazier sewing sleeves, the side chamber warm and fragrant with incense. “Has Third Young Master given you another difficult task? Last year, he refused to wear thick clothes; last time, he complained his leather boots were too stiff. What is it this time?”
Madam Xu lit another lamp, its dim yellow light casting shadows on the latticed window. “This time is even more troubling than before.”
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Consort Zhao, would it?” Qing’er straightened slightly, setting down her needlework.
“Exactly.” Madam Xu felt a headache coming on. “Third Prince is meticulous. He found out that since Consort Zhao became pregnant, she’s had no appetite and is growing thinner by the day. He’s displeased that the Private Kitchen staff only listens to the princess consort and won’t even prepare meals to suit the concubine’s taste. He intends to vent his frustration on them and has ordered me to obtain recipes from Ah Hui to present to Consort Zhao.”
Qing’er handed her a soft red silk pillow and helped her recline. “How did Third Prince learn that Ah Hui enjoys experimenting with food?”
“I find it strange too.” She didn’t believe Xiangyun would have revealed it. “He told me Xiangyun informed him about Consort Zhao’s poor appetite, but Xiangyun would never dare openly defy the princess consort’s people. The prince must have noticed it himself. Third Prince is deep-minded and mature beyond his years—more formidable than I imagined.”
“Xiangyun is always tight-lipped and cautious.” Qing’er sighed. “For the prince to be so perceptive is truly unsettling. If he’s like this now, he’ll only grow more cunning with age.”
Madam Xu sighed helplessly. “I can only hope he remembers past kindness.”
“He surely will.” Qing’er comforted her. “Third Young Master is quite fond of that boy A’Jin, and he shows consideration for Steward Miao too, never forgetting to send silver and cloth as gifts during festivals.”
A’Jin was Madam Xu’s only son, Miao Jin, who served as Third Young Master’s study companion. Since the prince had not yet reached the age to study in the palace and had not selected companions from noble families of his age, he only had this milk-brother by his side, making their bond naturally close.
“A’Jin is a boy, so of course I hope Third Prince will value him.” She couldn’t help but frown. “But Ah Hui is a girl, and the princess consort keeps a close watch over Third Prince. Even if I weren’t worried about that, I wouldn’t want her dragged into the conflicts between the prince, his legal mother, and his birth mother.”
Ah Hui was nearly thirteen—not too young, considering the princess consort herself had married at just thirteen. She must avoid any suspicion.
It wasn’t that she looked down on the path of becoming a master’s concubine. Women couldn’t hold office or become ministers; if they wanted to enjoy wealth and honor, most had no choice but to focus their efforts on marriage.
Not being a servant was a blessing, but blessings and misfortunes often came hand in hand. That path was too bitter, crushed by the weight of status. Consort Zhao was a cautionary tale—a former Palace Maid without power or influence, she had borne two children against her will. Madam Xu didn’t want Ah Hui to suffer such hardship.
“Perhaps you should follow Third Young Master’s orders for now. Once you obtain the recipes and present the new dishes, Consort Zhao will likely guess what happened and may advise the prince against it.” Qing’er shook her head. “Who knows whether the cooks in the Private Kitchen are deceiving their superiors under the princess consort’s orders or simply judging people by their status?”
Madam Xu smiled faintly, seeing through the situation: "They rely on having backing behind them. Even if the concubine notices they are borrowing authority from the princess consort's orders to disrespect their master, she would rather avoid trouble than truly punish those people. This is the princess consort's cleverness—first letting the kitchen maids warn the concubine, then settling accounts after she safely gives birth, giving both punishment and reward, combining kindness with authority."
"Tomorrow, send someone to call Ah Hui and A Wei, saying their uncle has newly acquired several fine bolts of fabric and specifically sent maidservants home to make winter clothes for his two nieces. Have them come to take measurements." She found an inconspicuous pretext.
Early the next morning.
"Aunt?" Shen Hui went straight to Madam Xu's house after leaving the mansion. Led by a maidservant into the main hall, she saw her sitting properly by the couch and guessed, "Today isn't just about making winter clothes, is it?"
"You are clever." Madam Xu arranged the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, beckoning her to the writing desk. "Do you still remember any novel recipes? Write them for me. As for where these recipes will go, don't ask. If others mention it, you must not say what exactly I had you do."
Shen Hui asked no further, obediently complying: "Time is short, so I can only write these three things for now."
They were pan-fried buns, sweet tofu pudding, and savory tofu pudding.
She had made the first one not long ago, while the latter two were recent cravings.
"Where exactly did you learn these? Your culinary skills aren't refined, but you have many fresh ideas." Madam Xu had initially suspected Shen Hui stole techniques from Nanny Zhang, but seeing the ingredients were mostly simple, she thought they were common street snacks and couldn't help but feel curious.
"When I was still at the manor estate, Lady Jiang often ordered me to make vegetarian meals to sell to traveling merchants lodging at the temple next door. Merchants from all over gathered there, even Hu merchants with different appearances—shaved heads and tattoos, curly-haired with big beards, straight-nosed and deep-eyed… I've seen them all." Shen Hui lowered her head, having long prepared her explanation.
Prince Chu revered Buddhism and Taoism, funding the construction of many temples and Taoist monasteries. Next to the wangfu's estate stood a temple that allowed traveling merchants to lodge at low cost.
"Those with straight noses and deep eyes are called Indians, not Hu people." Madam Xu laughed, then changed the subject: "Ah Hui, if there were a risky path that could bring you wealth and status, what would you do?"
"As the saying goes, wealth is sought in danger, but I have no such grand ambitions. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed content in the Beast House." Shen Hui pretended ignorance, stretching lazily. "Aunt, I'm very lazy. Not to mention taking risks, even turning over after a full meal feels tiring to me."
This was the truth.
Shen Hui knew her own limitations. Being able to outmaneuver a few young maidservants relied on her age advantage. If she encountered a real internal struggle, she would be helpless.
Better to diligently pursue her career as a salted fish.
"Good, good child. Truly wise yet appearing foolish. Go take your measurements now." Madam Xu, seeing she wasn't pretending, felt reassured.
The Chu Wangfu was originally the mansion of Emperor Taizu's younger sister, the Eldest Princess of Hengyang. Loved dearly by her elder brother, her residence occupied two lanes within the ward, with pavilions and towers adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and elegant gardens of clear waters and lush trees. After Prince Chu established his mansion, the largest main hall in the rear courtyard became the residence of the Princess Consort of Chu, Ningyuan Residence. The overly extravagant gardens were dismantled, leaving only the South Garden and Bei Yuan for the concubines to live in.
Consort Zhao originally also lived in the South Garden, but since she became pregnant again, under the care of the Princess Consort of Chu, the courtyard walls were rebuilt to separate a small courtyard for her, with its own entrance, offering peace and quiet.
"Mother, please try this. It's called shengjianbao, filled with mutton, similar to steamed buns. And these four bowls are divided into sweet and savory flavors. The sweet one is called douhua, and the savory one is tofu pudding." Third Young Master personally served Consort Zhao. "Since you're pregnant and have no appetite, it's perfect to have something savory."
He presented a small white jade bowl: "I personally tasted it for poison and had it tested. You can eat it."
Shen Hui had written in detail, with two variations for each flavor.
For sweet douhua, one was served with brown sugar and sugarcane syrup, while the other was drizzled with osmanthus honey and sprinkled with toasted dried fruit bits. For savory tofu pudding, one had the most common broth with wood ear mushrooms and shredded carrots, while the other was seasoned with cornelian cherry oil and a splash of vinegar, offering a tangy and spicy delight.
"Third Prince, this wasn't made in the Private Kitchen, was it?" Consort Zhao's gentle expression faltered as she leaned in to whisper.
"Yes, please eat." Third Young Master tried to keep it from her.
Consort Zhao appeared gentle on the surface but was perceptive at heart. How could she not sense his concealment? With a wave of her hand, she ordered her personal maid Xiangyun to dismiss the unrelated servants.
"What are you waiting for? The concubine told you to leave." Third Young Master noticed a few elderly servant women standing motionless outside the beaded curtain and raised his voice to scold them.
"Young Master, forgive this servant for speaking bluntly, but the concubine is heavily pregnant and likely cannot be left unattended." The leading servant woman, around forty years old with a long face, wore a deep blue plain silk short jacket paired with a matching gauze skirt. Her hair was styled in a yuanbao bun adorned with two silver combs, and she remained unmoved. "Honest advice may be hard to hear, but it benefits one's conduct. Please heed this counsel."
"Insolent servant…" Despite his maturity, Third Young Master was only a ten-year-old child and could hardly keep his composure.
Madam Xu, fearing he might lose control, slowly stepped forward from behind Third Young Master and immediately slapped the servant woman twice, leaving her dizzy and nearly stumbling. "The Young Master is the master. Do you dare defy his orders?"
"I previously served the Imperial Consorts and Concubines in the palace and was specially brought by the princess consort to ensure the concubine's safe pregnancy. How dare you strike me?" The servant woman flushed with anger.
"Nonsense! Stop putting on airs. Do you think I haven't met people from the palace? Everyone there is cautious, understanding, and respectful. If you dare slander the imperial consorts and concubines again, it won't just be a charge of defying orders." Madam Xu straightened her back, her willow-leaf eyebrows raised sharply.
"…Madam, your words truly humble us old servants. Nanny Qu, we should withdraw." The other servant women, seeing Madam Xu was a tough opponent, quickly helped Nanny Qu leave. "Young Master, we take our leave."
"Third Prince, tell your mother the truth. Who made these dishes?" Consort Zhao ordered Xiangyun to guard the door. When Third Young Master remained silent, she turned to Madam Xu. "Madam Xu, if he won't say, you tell me."
Madam Xu answered truthfully: "To answer the concubine, it was indeed made in the Private Kitchen, but the recipes did not come from the cooks there."
"My child is mischievous and has troubled you." Consort Zhao's brows softened with embarrassment.
"The Young Master is also concerned for you." Madam Xu tried her best to cover for Third Young Master. "Adding dried shrimp to the tofu pudding would taste good, but the cook insisted that the character for 'shrimp' sounds like 'blind,' which is inauspicious, and refused to obey. The Young Master deducted her monthly allowance before she agreed to add it."
Third Young Master was genuinely indignant: "From small things, we can see the bigger picture. These insolent servants must have taken advantage of this to bully you."
"Why care about such things? Since it's my son's heartfelt gesture, I'll try a few bites." Consort Zhao steadied her breath and patted his head. "Third Prince, don't be angry. I'll eat."
The pan-fried buns were too greasy and heavy, so she only tried half of one. However, the sour and spicy tofu pudding won her favor, and she finished an entire bowl.
Rarely had she eaten so fully satisfied: "Who presented the recipe? They should be rewarded."
"It was Ah Hui, Madam Xu's niece—the elder sister of the pair of sisters you helped. Consider it her way of repaying the kindness." Third Young Master felt a wave of relief, his suppressed anger and indignation gradually easing. "If you like it, Mother, I can have her write more recipes."